The email to Alumni Director Suzanne Griffeth was titled “Hello from a Bulldog in Afghanistan!!” U.S. Air Force Major Patrick Ballard was hoping a University of Georgia flag could be sent to him. It was, and through the wonders of email, Communications Director Denise Horton conducted an interview and Patrick sent us photos, complete with the UGA flag.

Patrick’s career has focused on aircraft maintenance, which is a pretty big leap from his restaurant and hotel administration undergraduate major. Likewise, Pam NeSmith’s most recent endeavors are a long way from her undergraduate degree in teaching children with developmental disabilities. Today, she’s a co-developer of The Bottleworks on Prince, the first mixed-use development in Athens, combining condominiums, professional offices, businesses and restaurants.

Although neither Pam nor Patrick could anticipate where their futures would take them, both decided that a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences would give them the grounding they needed for their lives after college.

On the other end of the spectrum, this issue of FACS Magazine recognizes several alums who have embraced our field throughout their careers.

Debbie Purvis and Sandra McKinney have spent their careers with the Cooperative Extension Service, developing a broad range of family and consumer sciences programs to reach the citizens of their counties. And, although Joanne Cavis didn’t earn her FACS degree here at UGA, she also has dedicated her professional life to the field. All three of these high achievers have been recognized at the university level for their accomplishments as you can see in the Breaking News article.

We also recognized our alumni award winners earlier this spring. Katrina Graham, Wanda Barrs, Debbie Phillips, Kyle Shadix and Suzanne Elbon have each found a unique way of using their FACS education as a springboard to success. And, it is through the financial and personal support of FACS friends like Jerry Warshaw, also an award winner, that our students are prepared to achieve at the highest level.

Finally, there is our most recent inductee into the FACS Honor Hall of Recognition.

Wanda Grogan has given and given of herself, both to the College and to the Athens community. As the first person in the nation to provide continuing education programs to FACS agents, the founder of the College’s alumni program and Leadership FACS, Wanda has been a pioneer. Even a serious stroke only slowed her down a short time.

Whether you are an Extension agent, a school superintendent, a chef, a developer or a U.S. Air Force major, I hope your FACS education has given you the skills to reach a little higher and a little farther and achieve a little more.

Happy Spring,